The sector took to Twitter this week after a high court judgement ruled in favour of upholding the Department of Health's (DH) cuts to English community pharmacy funding.
Despite criticising the DH for its implementation of the cuts, Mr Justice Collins yesterday (18 May) rejected two cases fighting against the funding reduction brought by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
The DH told The Pharmacist: ‘We are pleased that the judge has upheld the Government’s position on this case and we welcome this decision.’
Read on to find out how the news unfolded and how the sector reacted to the news on social media.
'Wrong, reckless and unfair'
As the news of the ruling broke over Twitter, community pharmacists were quick to express their opinions.
Related Article: Nearly twice as many patients in deprived areas prescribed dependency-forming meds
Judgement announced: both claims dismissed by Justice Collins #cutsincourt @Pharmacist_News
— Alice Harrold (@Alice_Harrold) 18 May 2017
Nor was he convinced that the Govmnt gave insufficient regard to the inequality of the cuts @NPA1921 #cutsincourt @Pharmacist_News
— Alice Harrold (@Alice_Harrold) 18 May 2017
@HealthRegLawyer So basically, what's happening is wrong, reckless and unfair but there's nothing that can be done about it? #cutsincourt
— Ben Merriman (@blmerriman) 18 May 2017
Related Article: Finding sustainable funding solution is ‘matter of urgency’ for government
@Alice_Harrold The Judge has permitted cuts, but actually said DH got it wrong on legal duty to reduce health inequalities #PharmacyCuts
— Andrea James (@HealthRegLawyer) 18 May 2017
@tony_schofield @Alice_Harrold Genuinely think you're wrong. Judgment hugely embarrassing for DH. Legal duty now clarified. DH highly unlikely to behave the same way again
— Andrea James (@HealthRegLawyer) 18 May 2017
Related Article: NICE recommends ‘game changer’ wearable tech for type 1 diabetes
@Beth_L_Kennedy @Pharmacist_News Time to build a better and more resilient future; do, not be done to. #qualityisthebestinvestment
— Mike Holden (@Michaelwsh) 18 May 2017
Have your say
Please add your comment in the box below. You can include links, but HTML is not permitted. Please note that comments are not moderated before publication and the views expressed are those of the user and do not reflect the views of The Pharmacist. Remember that submission of comments is governed by our Terms and Conditions. You can also read our full guidelines on article comments here – but please be aware that you are legally liable for any libellous or offensive comments that you make. If you have a complaint about a comment or are concerned that a comment breaches our terms and conditions, please use the ‘Report this comment’ function to alert our web team.